FLORAL INVASIONS, RESIDENT PESTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA OF DEEPAR BEEL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, ASSAM, INDIA

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1 FLORAL INVASIONS, RESIDENT PESTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA OF DEEPAR BEEL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, ASSAM, INDIA Sarkar Bidisha *1, Barthakur Trinayan and Ahmed Rezina 2 1. Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Asssam (INDIA) 2. Department of Zoology, Cotton College State University, Gauhati, Assam (INDIA) Received March 10, 2015 Accepted August 16, 2015 ABSTRACT Any plant growing out of place, non useful, unwanted, harmful, often prolific and persistent, or interfering with agricultural operation reducing crop yield is called a weed or floral invasive species. These species grow and flourish in any area, like croplands, roadsides, railway tracks, aerodromes, industrial areas, aquatic systems, forests, grasslands etc with the minimum resources and suitable environmental conditions, being mostly generalist species. Around 45% of the agricultural losses in India are caused by floral invasive species. Apart from their detrimental nature, they are also beneficial to the surrounding environment in numerous ways. They are widely used as human food or cattle fodder, as ornamental plants, add nutrients to the soil and check soil erosion, with wide use in traditional medicine. Many non native invasive species have naturalized in India and are being used for various purposes ranging from medicinal use, attachment to religious sentiments etc. The weed flora of North Eastern India is very diverse. The present study has been conducted in the Ramsar site Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, with an aim to identify the different invasive species and associated insect pests observed there and the uses of those species as ethno medicines by the local human population. Key Words : Invasive flora, Pest, Deepar Beel, Impact on flora and fauna, Soil erosion INTRODUCTION The Earth's flora is dynamic and has been constantly changing over a period of time. Changes may be natural or human-aided, although in the recent past the latter has played a vital role. In fact, the movement of plants from one part of the earth to the other has become very common and frequent owing to better trade and transport facilities 1. This has resulted in the introduction of various new floral species into new geographical regions on which they thrive and compete with the native species. Hence, these newly introduced species are often termed invasive. Any invasive species is an organism (plant, animal, fungus or bacterium) that is not useful, unwanted and has negative effects on our economy and environment. Biological invasions of alien plants present one of the most serious threats *Author for correspondence 110 to long-term maintenance of ecosystem health and biodiversity and pose a major threat to indigenous biological diversity 2. Floral invasive species are the second largest threat to the biodiversity which (are interfering) interfere with agricultural operations, reducing crop yield. They, in general terms are called weeds. They can be either native or non-native to a particular geographical area. Many such species have naturalized in India and are being utilized for various purposes, ranging from medicinal use, religious practices and in furniture, composing etc. It is well known that the losses caused by weeds exceed the losses caused by any other pests, nematodes, rodents as well as various diseases. As per estimation, the annual loss of agricultural production from various parts of India, weeds account for 45%, insect 30%, diseases 20% and other pests 5%. Once established, it is extremely difficult to control

2 the spread of invasive species. The weed flora of North East, India is very diverse and needs to be taxonomically evaluated in terms of its rich genetic and species diversity. Exotic weeds, owing to their aggressive nature can expand their zone of occupancy in quick succession in large tract and endanger the natural elements of flora and bring about abrupt changes in the floristic composition. With seasonal variations, invasive species pass through vigorous reproductive phases without any obstruction, opposing natural and artificial efforts made to eradicate them. Wetlands provide both nesting material and suitable habitat to varieties of bird species along with a great source of food 3. The study area of deepar beel wildlife sanctuary is a wetland full of water during monsoon, but post monsoon every year, the water level recedes, decreasing water cover drastically and allowing the growth of numerous terrestrial plants on the exposed moisture laden lake beds. Amongst the plants, there are numerous invasive species which directly or indirectly affect the beel s health. Nonetheless, their invasive nature and ability to survive and proliferate in all kinds of habitat poses threat to native flora too on which the beel-dependent animals feed. Along with all the negative impacts mentioned, it is worth noting that most of these invasive species have great medicinal use too. Study area Wetlands perform some important functions in relation to climate change. They have mitigation effects through their ability to sink carbon and adaptation effects through their ability to store and regulate water. Mangroves, floodplains, highland and other wetlands can reduce the impacts of increased precipitation, storms, glacier melting and even sea level rise. The water regulating and storage functions of these wetlands are crucial in adapting to a changing climate 4, hence, the selection of a Ramsar site as study area. Deepar Beel lies between E and N, feet ASL It is considered as the largest beel in the Brahmaputra valley of Western Assam and categorized as representatives of the Wetland 111 type under the Burma Monsoon Forest biogeographic region. The beel has a total area of 40 sq km out of which 4.14 sq km has been declared as a Bird Sanctuary by the Assam Government in On November 2002, it was listed as Ramsar site due to its rich wetland biodiversity. It is the first bird sanctuary and the only Ramsar site of Assam, India. Considering the varieties of Bird species found n the beel, Bird International has also declared Deepar Beel as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Deepar Beel is reported to provide directly or indirectly, its natural resources to 14 indigenous villages (1200 families) located in its precincts. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To study the floral and pest diversities of Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India 2. To study the impact of floral invasions and the residential pests of the sanctuary on the study area. MATERIAL AND METHODS A pilot survey of the Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary was conducted during February August 2014 using GPS data and an online area calculator. The species listed as invasive were confirmed with consultation of the global invasive species database with country/location tab set to India Sampling method For sampling, the belt transacts method is used in the patchy vegetation type plot. A map of deepar beel was selected and gridded using google earth and an area covered by 66 blocks in the grid were considered for study. Out of thee 66 blocks, in 35 blocks pilot survey has been conducted by considering accessibility and availability of vegetation and the section where the area has been a victim to encroachment and human exploitation. Hence, 30 terrestrial and 15 aquatic belt transacts measuring 50x20 sq meter each were considered at the peripheral region of the water body patches. The size of the belt transacts were measured by using measuring tapes and step count methods. Data of all the floral species found in the study area were recorded for estimation of the total

3 number of individuals of each recorded species and collected floral specimens were pressed on herbarium species and labeled. Data analysis The population percentage and relative density were calculated. The software used was PAST and Microsoft Excel. For population study, the relative density, frequency, dominance and abundance parameter using software PAST the different diversity indices for the study area namely Shannon-Weaner index and Margalef index were calculated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From the study of the area throughout the time period an array of observation were recorded. The terrestrial and aquatic area covered by the Wildlife Sanctuary is Terrestrial area : m², Aquatic area : m², A total of 40 major terrestrial species and 11 major aquatic species observed in the study area. Flora of deepar beel The hydrophytes vegetation of the beel has been clarified based on their ecological adaptation and their floristic elements as : Aquatic vegetation : Submerged, emergent and floating vegetation found during summer season. Terrestrial vegetation : in the dry areas, during winter also covered by aquatic and semi aquatic vegetation. Here we list the different aquatic and terrestrial floral species (Table 1 and Table 2 respectively), the different invasive species recorded amongst them (Table 3) and the different pest species (Table 4) as observed in the study area. Table 1 : Floral species observed in aquatic habitat Botanical name Common name Family Anabaena sp. - Nostocaceae Azolla pinnata Mosquito fern Azollaceae Carex atherodes Wheat sedge Cyperaceae Eicchornia crassipes Water hyacinth Pontoderiaceae Eleocharis dulcis Water chestnut Cyperaceae Eurayle ferox Giant water lily Nymphaeaceae Hydrilla verticillata Esthwaite waterweed Hydrocharitaceae Lemna minor Lesser duckweed Araceae Ludwigia adscendens Water dragon Onagraceae Nymphaea rubra Red water lily Nymphaeaceae Potamogeton crispus Curly leaf pondweed Potamogetonaceae Sagittaria sagittifolia Arrowhead Alismataceae Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Softstem bulrush Cyperaceae Scirpus fluviatilis River bulrush Cyperaceae Scirpus acutus Hard stem bulsush Cyperaceae Spirodela polyrhiza Greater duckweed Araceae Trapa natans Water caltrop Lythraceae Table 2 : (Floral species observed in terrestrial habitat) Botanical name Common name Family Acmella uliginosa - Asteraceae Aeschynomena aspera Sola pith plant Fabaceae Ageratum conyzoides Goatweed Asteraceae Amaranthus spinosus Prickly amaranth Amaranthaceae Amaranthus virdis Slender amaranth Amaranthaceae Argemone Mexicana Prickly poppy Papaveraceae Artemesia vulgaris Mugwort Asteraceae Axonopus compressus Carpet grass Poaceae Bombax ceiba Cotton tree Malvaceae

4 Cannabis sativa Bhaang Cannabaceae Cardiospermum halicacabum Balloon plant Sapindaceae Cassia tora Sickle senna Caesalpiniaceae Centella asiatica Indian pennywort Apiaceae Chloris gayana Windmill grass Poaceae Cleome hassleriana Spider flower Cleomaceae Clerodendrum infortunatum Hill glory bower Lamiaceae Chromolaena odorata Siam weed/devil weed Asteraceae Commelina diffusa Dayflower Commelinaceae Croton bonplandianum Wild tulsi Euphorbiaceae Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass Poaceae Daucus carota Wild carrot Apiaceae Desmodium laxiflorum Loose flowered desmodium Fabaceae Diplazium eculentum Vegetable fern Athyriaceae Drymaria cordata Tropical chickweed Caryophyllaceae Echinocloa colonum - Poaceae Echinocloa crus-galli Barnyard grass Poaceae Eclipta prostrate False daisy Asteraceae Euphorbia albomarginata Rattle snake weed Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hirta Snakeweed Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia thymifolia Swaduparni Euphorbiaceae Galinsoga parviflora Potato weed Asteraceae Gnaphalium indicum Cudweed Asteraceae Grangea maderaspatana Madras carpet Asteraceae Heliotropium indicum Indian heliotrope Boraginaceae Hymenopappus scabiosaeus - Asteraceae Imperata cylindrical Japanese bloodgrass Poaceae Ipomea carnea Morning glory Convolvulaceae Lantana camara Wild sage Lamiales Leucas aspera Thumbai Lamiaceae Marsilea quadrifolia Four leaf clover Marsileaceae Mikania micrantha Bitter vine Asteraceae Mimosa pudica Touch me not Fabaceae Nastrurtium indicum Indian cress Brassicaceae Ocimum canum Basil Lamiaceae Oldenlandia corymbosa Diamond flower Rubiaceae Oxalis corymbosa L. - Oxalidaceae Parthenium heterosporous Congress plant Asteraceae Saccharum spontaneum kahuwa Poaceae Sida acuta - Malvaceae Solanum nigrum Black noghtshade Solanaceae Solanum xanthocarpum Yellowberried nightshade Solanaceae Tridax procumbens Mexican daisy Asteraceae Xanthium strumarium Cocklebur Asteraceae 113

5 Table 3 : List of invasive plant species recorded in Deepar Beel Botanical name Common name Family Acmella uliginosa - Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides Goatweed Asteraceae Amaranthus spinosus Prickly amaranth Amaranthaceae Amaranthus virdis Slender amaranth Amaranthaceae Argemone mexicana Prickly poppy Papaveraceae Azolla pinnata Mosquito fern Azollaceae Cardiospermum halicacabum Balloon plant Sapindaceae Carex atherodes Wheat sedge Cyperaceae Cassia tora Sickle senna Caesalpiniaceae Chloris gayana Windmill grass Poaceae Chromolaena odorata Siam weed/devil weed Asteraceae Cleome hassleriana Spider flower Cleomaceae Clerodendrum infortunatum Hill glory bower Lamiaceae Croton bonplandianum Wild tulsi Euphorbiaceae Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass Poaceae Daucus carota Wild carrot Apiaceae Diplazium eculentum Vegetable fern Athyriaceae Drymaria cordata Tropical chickweed Caryophyllaceae Echinocloa crus-galli Barnyard grass Poaceae Eicchornia crassipes Water hyacinth Pontoderiaceae Euphorbia albomarginata Rattle snake weed Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia hirta Snakeweed Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia thymifolia Swaduparni Euphorbiaceae Galinsoga parviflora Potato weed Asteraceae Grangea maderaspatana Madras carpet Asteraceae Heliotropium indicum Indian heliotrope Boraginaceae Hydrilla verticillata Esthwaite waterweed Hydrocharitaceae Hymenopappus scabiosaeus - Asteraceae Imperata cylindrica Japanese blood grass Poaceae Ipomea carnea Morning glory Convolvulaceae Lantana camara Wild sage Lamiales Leucas aspera Thumbai Lamiaceae Mikania micrantha Bitter vine Asteraceae Mimosa pudica Touch me not Fabaceae Nastrurtium indicum Indian cress Brassicaceae Oldenlandia corymbosa Diamond flower Rubiaceae Parthenium heterosporous Congress plant Asteraceae Saccharum spontaneum Kahuwa Poaceae Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Soft stem bulrush Cyperaceae Sida acuta - Malvaceae Solanum nigrum Black nightshade Solanaceae Solanum xanthocarpum Yellow berried nightshade Solanaceae Spirodela polyrhiza Greater duckweed Araceae Tridax procumbens Mexican daisy Asteraceae Xanthium strumarium Cocklebur Asteraceae 114

6 J. Environ. Res. Develop. Vol.10 No. 01, July-September 2015 Journal of Environmental Research And Development Table 4 : List of insect pest residing at Deepar Beel and the crops they affect Insect pest Cabbage root maggot Scientific name Family Delia radicum Anthomydii Spinach aphid Aphis fabae Aphididae Melon aphid Aphis gossypii Aphididae Carrot rust fly Chamaepsila rosae Psilidae Common borer Onion thrips Thrips tabaci Thripinae Corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis Crambidae Cabbage white Pieris brassicae Pieridae Throughout the four seasons studied during our three years of study, varying percentages of occurances of different species were observed in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The most abundant species observed in the different seasons throughout Affected crop Cabbage, Broccoli Spinach, Cabbage, Celery, Potatoes Rosaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Malvaceae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Compositae and others Carrot, Celery, Parsley, Parsnips Onion Tomato, Lily, Wheat, Corn, Dahlia, Rice Dahlia, Cabbage, Corn the study period were taken into account and shown in pie charts (Fig. 1). A few commonly seen invasive species observed are shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 7 along with a few pests that were observed during the study period (Fig. 8 to Fig. 10) 15% 25% 33% 13% 55% 5% 49% 26% Hydrilla sp. Eurayle ferox (a) Winter (Aquatic-2012) 39% Trapa natans Hydrilla sp. (b) Winter (Aquatic-2013) 42% 67% (c) Winter (Aquatic-2014) 19% 37% 26% 38% 22% 13% Lantana camara Cleome hassleriana Xanthium strumarium 21% Cleome hassleriana Solanum xanthocarpum (d) Winter (Terrestrial-2012) (e) Winter (Terrestrial-2013) % Lantana camara Cleome sp. Xanthium strumarium (f) Winter (Terrestrial-2014)

7 J. Environ. Res. Develop. Vol.10 No. 01, July-September 2015 Journal of Environmental Research And Development 22% 59% 0% 0% 21% 54% 59% 25% 20% 19% 21% Hydrilla sp. Hydrilla sp. Hydrilla sp. (g) Pre-monsoon & Monsoon (h) Pre-monsoon & Monsoon (i) Pre-monsoon & Monsoon (Aquatic 2012) (Aquatic 2013) (Aquatic 2014) 21% 17% 32% 0% 48% 26% 27% 17% 21% 18% 26% Cleome sp. Xanthium strumarium 22% 25% Parthenium heterospora Cleome sp. Lantana camara Chromolaena odorata Lantana camara Euphorbia hirta Cyperus rotundus (j) Pre-monsoon & Monsoon (k)pre-monsoon & Monsoon (Terrestrial 2012) (Terrestrial 2013) 11% 4% 10% (l) Pre-monsoon & Monsoon (Terrestrial-2014) 10% 73% 68% Trapa natans Trapa natans Azolla sp. Sagittaria sp. (m) Post-monsoon (Aquatic-2012) (n) Post-monsoon (Aquatic-2013) 25% 51% 25% 48% 15% Euphorbia hirta Argemone mexicana Ipomea carnea Euphorbia hirta Mikania micrantha Ipomea carnea (o) Post-monsoon (Terrestrial 2012) (p) Post-monsoon (Terrestrial 2013) Fig.1(a-p) : Variation in percentage distribution of the major floral invasive species of Deepar Beel in winter, pre-monsoon and monsoon and post monsoon seasons ( ) 116

8 Fig. 2 : Xanthium strumarium Fig. 3 : Mikania micrantha Fig. 4 : Parthenium Heterospora Fig. 5 : Eicchornia crassipes Fig. 6 : Lantana camara Fig. 7 : Azolla pinnata Fig. 8 : Cabbage maggot Fig. 9 : Black onion fly Fig. 10 : Carrot fly 117 Alien plants have various effects on the environment and economy of non-native areas, many of the exotic plants are of economic benefit and some have severe negative impacts. Some alien species, often cultivated, may provide food, medicine, fuel or fodder to local communities and some of them are responsible for endangerment and extinction of native species and has negative impact on crop production, forest regeneration, livestock grazing and on human health 4. Invasive species/weeds used as human food Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus virdis, Eclipta prostrate, Centella asiatica, Eichornia crassipesae Weeds used as ornaments Lantana camara, Eichornia crassipes. Weeds used as medicine Ageratum conyzoides, Alternthera sessilis, Centella asiatica, Drymaria cordata, Eupatarium odoratum, Leucas aspera, Mollugo pentaphylla, Oxalis corniculata, Vitax negundo, Imperata cylindrical, Phragmites karka, Sachcharum spontaneum, Thypha elephantine etc. The most abundant invasive species observed in the study area, Eicchornia crassipes can be used for the treatment of swelling, goitre, burning sensation, hemorrhage and general debility. The neighbouring people of Kapla beel use Eichhornia crassipes to prepare a medicine locally called Dakhala khar (Alkali) which is used specially for the treatment of indigestion and to improve appetite. The plant has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Flowers are used in the cure of skin diseases of horses 2. Numerous wetland plants of Assam and their parts are used as medicines whole plants, bark, fruits, leaf, juice, root etc 5.

9 Weeds as common hazards to health and economy Lantana camara, Solanum nigrum, Solanum xanthocarpum, Xanthium stromarium. Oxalis corniculata, Oxalis corymbosa, Cassia tora and Amaranthus spinosus. The results of the current study showed the presence of 40 major terrestrial species and 11 major aquatic species in the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary. The dominant floral families were Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. The entire scenario of the beel has changed since the last decade ended. Throughout the study period, Lantana camara, Cleome hassleiana and Xanthium strumarium have been observed to be the top three most notorious terrestrial invasive species in the study area, while Eicchornia crassipes is the sole aquatic invasive species that proliferates extremely rapidly in the monsoon season, trying to engulf the entire water cover of the beel. It is worth mentioning that after the arrival of monsoon, an invasion of Parthenium heterospora was observed each year since The species spreads and proliferates for a month s duration, after which, the entire exposed terrestrial area was seen to get inundated by the rising waters of the beel and were rapidly replaced by exponentially growing They proliferate without any hindrance and form mats resulting in shadowing of the lake bed and decreasing the available oxygen for the other aquatic flora and fauna. It is also worth mentioning that Eicchornia has numerous uses too. Juice of this plant is used to treat fresh wounds injury and also used to ease swelling, burning. The fibre from the stems can be used to make ropes, dry plants are used as organic manure. The plant can be cultivated for use in wastewater treatment 5. It is also used as fodder for pigs at pig farms in certain areas 6. Aquatic weeds are associated with both positive and negative impact on fish and fisheries. They form food for many fishes, bring nutrients into the food chain, provide shelter for fishes. 7,8 An important thing observed in the study area was a major deleterious effect of weeds that is they cause physical obstruction to a variety of fishing gears, conceal the fish species and 118 increase the percentage of weed fishes and carnivorous species 9,10. Since, a large population of fishermen depends on Deepar Beel for their livelihood, such cases tend to harm them economically 11,12. The rich flora also harbors numerous resident pests, which tend to reside on the beel s flora and attack the nearby plantations and croplands associated with the beel s neighbourhood CONCLUSION There is a wide array of reasons as to why plant invaders may have rapid growth and spread in their new environments. Disturbance may reduce competition, allowing for the establishment of invaders. Exotic plants may escape herbivores or parasites, which keep their populations low in their native lands. The invaders may alter their new environment in order to promote their own growth while suppressing the growth of others. Empty niches may occur in a community that can be filled by an introduced plant. Such invasions have a major impact in wetland ecosystems. Even during the winters with the least water cover, Eicchornia, being a resistant species, still prevailed as was observed. The rapid proliferation of invasive species not only changes the community composition by taking over the important native species and gradually replacing them, but also leads to financial losses by harming the ecologically and economically important food plants. Though invasive species in the study area have altered its habitat structure to a huge extent, no serious threat is posed by any species except Eicchornia, which at present is controlled manually by local fishermen. The change in weather and onset of monsoon inundates the entire area that gets exposed during the dry winter, thus killing all the terrestrial invasive species as an example of display of nature s own means of control of invasion. This cycle continues, holding hands with the cycle of seasons in the area and neighborhood, leaving the area barren for growth of new native and non-native species which again go underwater with the onset of monsoon. Preventing and controlling noxious weed encroachment depends on early detection. Thus, regular studies and scrutiny of wetlands is a necessity.

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